The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-01
A TRUE GHOST STORY.
For the Apr cal /:

For the Apreal:
A few years ago, while l was in the
City Of New York, boarding at No.
- East Twenty eighth street, near
Fourth avenue, l became acquainted
with lady apparently 80 years of
age. She had once been a magnifi-
cent, queenly woman in appearance,
so | thought when l first saw her at
luncheon. She was tall, graceful and
her every movement bespoke high
breeding, every word showed cul-
ture. Her eyes were as black as
night, and though she was on the
shady side of life they shone like
stars. They twinkled and sparkled
when she heard a good story, as if
she we're still young. But at times
there was far away look in her
eyes-a look that | have never seen
in any eyes except hers. At times
she was nervous; was easily startled
by the slightest noise, but she was
generally calm, cool and self possess
ed and perfectly easy in her manners.
She was born in the State of Missis-
sipi, near the city of Vicksburg. She
was wealthy, and a widow, with not
a child and no poor kin. Certainly a
pleasant position to occupy, no doubt
many think, but it's not. The heart,
the soul wants ties; it wants love,
and poor kin is better than no
kin, provided they are agreeable and
respectable. We became good
friends in the course of time, for she,
having nothing to do but kill time,
and having naught to do but help
her enjoy the sport, and
both being from the same
State and far from home, we
naturally took to one another She
was old enough to be my mother,
and as she remarked after we had
become we'll acquainted, 81 want
you to listen to me; take my advice.
You are far from home and are in a
great city, where wickedness puts on
every alluring garb, decks itself in
the most gorgeous colors and smiles
its most fascinating smiles to tempt
youth from the path of virtue.
Now, said she, Il am going to be
your mother while you are here" q |
hoped that she would be like a
mother and remember me in her
will in a substantial way.) One day, |
or rather evening, after Z o'clock |
dinner, We had repaired to the draw
ing room. | suppose there were
eight or ten gentlemen and ladies
besides myself and friend, whom |
will call Mrs. Lightherdt, sitting
around the cheerful fire of the draw.
ing room, when one of the gentlemen
remarked thathe had been to spirit
ual seance the night before and had
seen some wonderful slate writing,
naturalization, etc. ~ think | will |
go again tonight" said he. 81 am
getting to be a spiritualist, | am
afraid. | was sitting near Mrs.
Lightherdt when he said this, and l
saw a shadow cross her face, but it
was only momentsry, and then her
expression was one of eagerness, de-
light. A peculiar light cleaned in
her eyes, and she had a nervous
look. | could not imagine what had
caused the change in her appearance.
We all talked of spiritualism, and of
course some were against it and some
for it. Mrs. Lightherdt remained
silent, and seemed to be drinking in
every work with as much pleasure as
the drunkard drinks his grog.
After awhile we were left alone,
when l asked her why she had been
30 silent and 80 interested during
the discussion on spiritualism.
ut is sir, a theme of interest to
me-" she replied.
"Are you believer ~ / asked. 1
asked the question lightly, in a
way, half ironically. She
became as grave as a tombstone.
my dear young friend Il am
young, and of course | did not like
being called young), 1 don't know
| am or not. once saw
that | have never been
able to account for. | will tell you,
il you wish to hear it. "
"Of course do, " replied. Moth
ing so interests me as a good ghost
story"
well, to begin, said my friend, as
The punched the glowing Goals in the
arpe cOmfOrtahla Orata 81 had n | ,